Overdrive

Monday, October 29, 2012

Son by Lois Lowry

Summary
They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn't exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive?  She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice

Mrs. Lassley's Review
The first time I read The Giver I was in college and I had to read it for my Children's Lit class. I knew it was a special book then. With the addition of Gathering Blue and The Messenger, you got to see life in other areas. Now with Son, you go back to Claire and her journey. You will meet new characters and reconnect with old ones.
This book is one that will make you think. After I finished I just sat and basked in the afterglow of a truly wonderful book. I really think 8th graders need to add this to the must list since they are reading The Giver and The Messenger. So amazing!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Reached...it is almost here!

I have been waiting for this book since I read Matched two years ago. There is going to be an excerpt on Entertainment Weekly tomorrow, but for now go to this site http://shelf-life.ew.com/2012/10/24/watch-the-shattering-trailer-for-reached-the-conclusion-to-the-matched-trilogy-exclusive/ for a trailer.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

False Memory by Dan Krokos

I do not normally blog about a book before I am done, but this book will be the exception. Last night I picked up False Memory because I left my other book (Son by Lois Lowry) downstairs. Since I was feeling lazy and I saw this book on my nightstand, I figured, "Why not?" Fate was on my side because 2 hours and 200 pages later it took everything I had to stop. I was afraid this book would remind me too much of Jason Bourne, but I was wrong. This book is in a league by itself and I am dying to finish. This is a planned series. I hope that I am patient enough to wait for the next one.


And yes, there is a copy in the Stafford library. :-)

Friday, October 19, 2012

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz



Summary
This mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches. Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after. (Taken from titlewave.com, from the publisher)

Mrs. Lassley's Review
You know when you have a book that you are putting off reading. There is no real reason, but it just keeps going to the bottom of your pile. For me, A Tale Dark and Grimm was that book. And I am now kicking myself about waiting so long to read it. (Or course, this also means the sequel right now instead of waiting.) My favorite part of this book is the narrator. The back and forth of the story and the narrator just brings the story to life. Also, the way the author has twisted these stories together is so wonderful. A great read for all readers!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg


Summary
Over the course of history men and women have lived and died. In fact, getting sick and dying can be a big, ugly mess-especially before the modern medical care that we all enjoy today. How They Croaked relays all the gory details of how nineteen world figures gave up the ghost. Readers will be fascinated well past the final curtain, and feel lucky to live in a world with painkillers, X-rays, soap, and 911. (From the publisher.)

Mrs. Lassley's Review
I am not big on reading nonfiction, but I heard from another librarian that I needed to read this. She was right! It is so great. Not only does it give you a great history of each person and then what led to their demise, the book gave you details about other parts of their life. This is a great read aloud book and I would highly suggest it!

Variant by Robison Wells


Summary
Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he's trapped in a school that's surrounded by a razor-wire fence, where video cameras monitor his every move—and where breaking the rules equals death.
All Benson wants is to find a way out. But when he stumbles upon the real secret the school has been hiding, he realizes that escape may be impossible. (From publisher.)

Mrs. Lassley's Review
This book took a couple of chapters to grab my attention, but after that I could not finish it fast enough. You are trying to figure things out at the same time as Benson and by the end your mind is racing. Who can Benson trust? The cover subtext has it right...NO ONE!